Nursing bottle holder

ABSTRACT

A nursing bottle holder in which a bottle is carried in a pivot mount which is releasably secured on a support member, the support member being formed to straddle a baby whereby to enable the baby to feed from the bottle and allowing ready removal of the pivot mount from the support member.

United States Patent Inventor Paul S. Bnclit 2167 College View Drive,Monterey Park, Los Angeles, Calif. 91754 App]. No. 27,084 Filed Apr. 9,1970 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER 6 Claims, 4 DrawingFigs.

U.S. Cl 248/106, 224/5 W, 248/104, 248/137 Int. Cl A47d 15/00 Field 01Search 248/103, 102, 105, 106, 107; 224/5 W, 5 (.23); 128/132, 134

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Craig Rea Smith... Lande Johnsonl-lurtzig..... Kimball....

Williams Primary ExaminerChancellor E. Harris Attorney-Robbins, Wills &Berliner Nilsson ABSTRACT: A nursing bottle holder in which a bottle iscarried in a pivot mount which is releasably secured on a supportmember, the support member being formed to straddle a baby whereby toenable the baby to feed from the bottle and allowing ready removal ofthe pivot mount from the support member.

PATENTEnunv 16 197i 3,620, 19 1 INVENTOR.

BY PQUL 5. 5/ /64.-

NURSING BOTTLE HOLDER FIELD OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION The bottle nursing of a baby is often a tedious chorerequiring extensive periods of time during which the mother cannotaccomplish other household tasks. To alleviate this situation, it iscommon practice to wrap the nursing bottle in a blanket or toweling soas to prop the bottle in position whereby the baby can feed itself. Abottle holder constructed for that purpose is illustrated in U.S. Pat.No. 2,485,461 wherein the bottle is retained on a cushion.

Such methods are not adequate since the bottle can be easily moved awaywhen released from the baby's mouth. Other bottle holders have beensuggested in which the bottle is automatically tilted rearwardly whenreleased. One such device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 1,368,544wherein a nursing bottle is pivotally supported by coil springedclamping means between opposite sides of a framework. However, suchdevices are also readily pushed away by the baby. Still another type ofdevice is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,412,426 in which a nursingbottle is pivotally secured between opposite sides of a holder, whichsides are disposed to rest upon a supporting surface at opposite sidesof the infant. Such devices while solving some of the foregoing problemsare not entirely satisfactory in that movement of the baby can upset thedevice. Furthermore, such devices are quite bulky and inconvenient toload.

The present invention provides a nursing bottle holder which overcomesthe foregoing drawbacks. A pivot mount for the bottle is provided whichis releasably secured to a support formed to straddle a baby. The pivotmount includes a base, a pair of members upright from the base, a bottlegripper, and means for pivotally securing the bottle gripper to andbetween the upper portions of the upright members. By such means anursing bottle can be pivotally disposed between the upright memberswhereby to enable the baby to feed from the bottle. By releasablysecuring the pivot mount on the support it can be readily removed fromthe support member for purposes of cleaning or for ready loading of thebottle.

The support member is formed as a shield for the baby, the sides thereofdefining arm accommodating recesses so that the support member canstraddle the baby. In a particular embodiment, the support memberdefines a plurality of peripheral strap openings whereby the supportmember may be strapped to the baby.

In other embodiments, the bottle gripper is formed with suction cups andmeans for flexibly disposing the suction cups so as to secure thenursing bottle. A weight can be disposed on the rear end of the bottlegripper so that the bottle gripper pivots into a rearwardly tiltedposition when the baby releases the bottle. The base of the pivot mountcan be formed with a flat bottom so as to be self-standing and so as toprovide a tray portion which can be utilized to hold a variety ofimplements which may be useful following the feeding of the baby. Inaccordance with further aspects of the invention, the upright members ofthe pivot mount are formed in representation of the head ofa creature,such as a dog, or the like.

To facilitate securement and release of the pivot mount, the base of thepivot mount can be formed with one or more slots or projections and thesupport member can be formed with one or more projections or slots forslidable mating engagement with the base. In a further embodiment, anextension member is provided which is formed for removable securementbetween the pivot mount and the support member whereby to extend thedistance of the bottle from the baby, so that the device can be utilizedas the baby gets larger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of anursing bottle holder of this invention shown in use by a baby;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the nursing bottle holder ofFIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned view of the bottle gripper taken online 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an extension member which can beutilized with the device of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment ofthe invention as disclosed herein. However, it is'to be understood thatthis embodiment merely exemplifies the invention which may take manydifferent forms that are radically different from the specificillustrative embodiment disclosed. Therefore, specific structural andfunctional details as disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims which define the scope ofthe invention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a nursery bottle holder 10of this invention being utilized by a nursing baby 12. Referringadditionally to FIG. 2, the bottle holder 10 includes a pivot mount 14which is releasably secured on a support member 16. The support member16 is formed as a shield for the baby and can be constructed ofpolyethylene plastic or the like with sufficient rigidity to support thepivot mount 14. In this regard, the support member 16 constitutes aprotective shell bib for the baby which prevents spillage on the baby.The support member 16 is formed so as to rest upon a surface such asbedding 18 on opposite sides of the baby and the sides 20 and 22 of thesupport member define arm accommodating recesses such as 24 for thispurpose. The rear portion 26 of the support member is formed open andthe front portion 28 of the support member is formed so as to define arecess 30 for accommodating the neck of the baby. By such construction,the baby can be straddled by the support member 16'.

A securement member 32 is provided fixed to the top of the supportmember 16 and somewhat forwardly thereof as illustrated. The securementmember 32 may be formed integral with the support member 16 by beingcast therewith or may be fixed thereto by gluing or by other means. Thesecurement member 32 is rectangularly formed to engage with therectangular base 34 of the pivot mount 14. In particular, the pivotmount base 34 is provided with projections in the form of side flangessuch as at 36 and a front flange 38 disposed for slidable matingengagement with corresponding side slots, such as at 40, and a frontslot, shown in shadow at 42. By such means, the pivot mount 14 slidablyengages the securement member 32 so as to secure it to the supportmember 16. By disposing the securement member 32 as described somewhatforwardly of the curved top surface of the support member 16, gravityalone retains the pivot mount 14 in place. To remove the pivot mount 14,one need merely push rearwardly thereon for slidable disengagement fromthe securement member 32.

Referring now in more detail to the pivot mount 14, there is included abase portion 34 as described which is defined by a flat rectangular tray44. A pair of flat upright members 46 and 48 are disposed on oppositesides of the tray 44 and are secured with front and rear struts 50 and52 (the latter being shown in shadow).

The upright members 46 and 48 are formed in representation of the headof a creature to thereby impart a decorative effect to the bottleholder. For example, the head of a dog can be utilized as shown, or onecould depict a rabbit, cartoon character, etc. In the presentillustration, the upright members 46 and 48 are formed in representationof a dog's head, and are provided with car pieces such as at 54 whichcan be glued to the head or may pivot from pivot points 56 and 57 whichwill be referred to hereinafter in more detail. The particular manner ofconstruction of the present invention allows the utilization of suchpictorial representations.

A bottle gripper 58 is'pivotally secured to and between the upperportions of the upright members 46 and 48. The bottle gripper 58comprises a cradle 60 formed in one piece of flexible plastic such aspolyethylene and can define a plurality of openings 62 where materialcan be omitted. The bottle gripper 58 includes extended portionsconstituting fingers 64 and 66 rearwardly thereof and fingers 68 and 70centrally thereof. The fingers 64, 66, 68 and 70 are provided at theirouter ends with suction cups 72, 73, 74 and 75 respectively which serveto securely retain a nursing bottle 76 which is disposed therein.

The cradle 60 is pivotally secured by loose fitting grommets 78 and 79at pivot points 81 and 83 thereon lined up with the pivot points 56 and57 referred to above. The point of securement of the cradle 60 may beoffset rearwardly of center line to offset the balance of the cradle 60.Referring to FIG. 3, a weight, such as a lead weight 80 is secured tothe bottom rear end of the cradle 60 so as to counterbalance the cradle60. The weight 80 is sufficiently heavy to counterbalance the cradlewith the bottle 76 therein at all fluidlevels so that the cradle willrotate the bottle into a rearwardly tilted position when the babyreleases its nipple.

In utilizing the nursery bottle holder l0,'thebaby's mother separatesthe pivot mountl4 from the support member 16 and loads the cradle 60with the nursing bottle 76. She then merely has to slide the pivot mount14 onto the securement member 32 and the device is ready to be used. Thesupport member 16 may now beplaced over the baby so that the baby's armsextend through the recesses 24, and the bottle tilted downwardly so thatthe baby can feed therefrom. After the baby has finished feeding, thecounterweight 80 causes the bottle to tilt rearwardly, removing it as anobstruction. The baby's mother can then slide the pivot mount 14rearwardly to remove it from the securement member 32.

Conveniently, the struts 50 and 52 and upright members 46 and 48 defineraised edges for the tray 44 enabling the tray 44 to be used to containaccessories as desired, such as a pacifier, or diaper pins. Theprovision of ready removability of the pivot mount 14 enables thatmember to be readily cleaned and also enables ready cleaning of thesupport member by single use of a wet rag or the like.

It may be desired to use the bottle holder 10 while the baby is in anupright position. For this purpose, the bottle holder is provided withperipheral slots 82 through which straps (not shown) may be threaded tosecure the support member 16 to the baby. For such purposes, it may bedesirable to provide a latching mechanism to prevent the pivot mount 14from sliding off the support 16. Such a mechanism is shown at 84 thatcomprises a dowel 86 spring loaded through an opening 88 in the rear topsurface of the support member 16. The dowel 86 is provided rearwardlywith a shaved face portion 90 which reacts against the forward surfaceof the securing member base 34 during insertion thereof to pressdownwardly against the force of the spring 92. After complete insertionof the securing member 14, the dowel 86 is released to extend up wardlyagainst the rear strut 52 to prevent rearward movement of the pivotmount 14. To release the pivot mount 14, one need merely push the dowel86 downwardly with his thumb and slide the pivot mount 14 rearwardlythereover.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a further refinement of theinvention in which an extension member 94 is provided which can beremovably secured between the pivot mount 14 and the securement member32 so as to extend the distance of the bottle from the baby. Theextension member 94 is useful to raise the level of the bottle as thebaby grows older and it is contemplated thata series of such extensionmembers may be provided to enable the bottle holder 10 to be used overan extended period of time. The extension member 94 is famed with aflat, rectangular base portion 96 secured between vertically extendingsides 98 and 100 and vertically extending front portion 102. The sides98 and 100 and front portion 102 are formed with slots 104 and 106 (thelatter being shown in shadow) above the surface of the base member 96for slidable mating engagement with the side and front flanges 36 and 3of the pivot mount 14. Referring additionally back to FIG. 2, thesecurement member 32 is formed along its sides with external slots suchas at 108. The extension member sides 98 and 100 are provided withinternally directed flanges 110 and 112 below the surface of the'baseportion 96 for slidable mating engagement with the external mount memberslot 108. By such means, the extension member 94 may be slid onto thesecurement member 32 and the pivotmount 14 may be slid onto theextension member 94. If desired, the dowel 86 may be replaced with alarger dowel which extends sufi'rciently to secure both the extensionmember 94 and pivot mount 14.

By using the foregoing concepts, a nursing bottle holder is providedwhich is of simple construction yet which is durable and aestheticallypleasing and which provides convenience and utility not heretoforeobtained.

I claim:

1. A nursing bottle holder, comprising:

a nursing bottle pivot mount comprising:

a base, a pair of members upright from said base, a bottle gripper, andmeansfor pivotally securing said bottle gripper to and between upperportions of said upright member;

means for releasably securing said pivot mount to said support memberwhereby to enable said baby to feed from said bottle and allowing readyremoval of said pivot mount from said support member.

2. The invention according to claim 1 including a weight on the rear endof said bottle gripper whereby to pivot said bottle gripper into arearwardly tilted position.

3. The invention according to claim 1 including suction cups and meansfor flexibly disposing said suction cups on said bottle gripper wherebyto grip said nursing bottle.

4. The invention according to claim 1 in which said base is formed witha flat bottom for self-standing thereof.

5. The invention according to claim 1 in which said upright members areformed in representation of the head of a creature.

6. The invention according to claim 1 in which said pivot mount includesa base formed with one or more slots or projections and said supportmember is formed with one or more projections or slots for slidablemating engagement with said .base whereby said pivot mount may beslidably secured to said support member.

1. A nursing bottle holder, comprising: a nursing bottle pivot mountcomprising: a base, a pair of members upright from said base, a bottlegripper, and means for pivotally securing said bottle gripper to andbetween upper portions of said upright member; means for releasablysecuring said pivot mount to said support member whereby to enable saidbaby to feed from said bottle and allowing ready removal of said pivotmount from said support member.
 2. The invention according to claim 1including a weight on the rear end of said bottle gripper whereby topivot said bottle gripper into a rearwardly tilted position.
 3. Theinvention according to claim 1 including suction cups and means forflexibly disposing said suction cups on said bottle gripper whereby togrip said nursing bottle.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 in whichsaid base is formed with a flat bottom for self-standing thereof.
 5. Theinvention according to claim 1 in which said upright members are formedin representation of the head of a creature.
 6. The invention accordingto claim 1 in which said pivot mount includes a base formed with one ormore slots or projections and said support member is formed with one ormore projections or slots for slidable mating engagement with said basewhereby said pivot mount may be slidably secured to said support member.